Question

    Music always interests us. But do you like music that is mainly used in stores? People call it “background music”. Recorded background music first found its way in factories, shops and restaurants in the US, but it soon spread to other parts of the world. Now many stores like to play this kind of music.

Why do they use it? Well, because they want to make customers stay longer. Then customers may buy some goods if they stay longer. In fact, some background music is soft and gentle. However, some background music is too loud. Many shoppers say that they don’t like any background music. When the music is being played, they may get angry at it and they will walk out of the shop as soon as they hear it.

According to a survey, three quarters of shoppers notice the background music when they go into a store. If they like the background music, they will stay longer as a result. They say they will come to the store again. However, fifty percent of shoppers will leave the shop because they don’t like the background music. They even say that they will be less likely to return to the store.

It seems that stores should choose a suitable “sound” for their customers. According to the survey, the suitable background music is a very effective (有效的) way to attract (吸引) more customer’s attention.

So it is wise of stores and restaurants to be more careful with their background music. Some restaurant owners even say that background music is more important than the problem of taste.

1.Background music was first played in the following places in the US EXCEPT _______.

A.factories B.stores C.schools D.restaurants

2.How many shoppers will be less likely to return to the store according to the survey?

A.Three quarters of shoppers. B.One quarter of shoppers.

C.Fifty percent of shoppers. D.Forty percent of shopper.

3.Why do many stores and restaurants like to use background music?

A.Because they want to make their customers leave.

B.Because almost all customers enjoy listening to music.

C.Because they expect the music to help with their business.

D.Because the music makes their places look more beautiful.

4.Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A.People only use background music in America now.

B.All background music is soft and gentle.

C.All the people like the background music when they go into the store.

D.The suitable background music is a very effective way to attract shoppers.

5.What do we learn from the passage?

A.Background music is important. B.People in the US dislike background music.

C.How to buy goods in correct ways. D.Playing suitable background music is wise.

Answer

1.C

2.C

3.C

4.D

5.D

【解析】

文章讲了商场餐厅等公共场合播放的“背景音乐”，调查显示四分之三的顾客认为背景音乐好听的话会待得更久一点，所以选择合适的音乐变得越来越重要。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段“Recorded background music first found its way in factories, shops and restaurants in the US…”可知，背景音乐最初在美国的工厂、商店和餐厅播放，没有提到学校，故选C。

2.细节理解题。根据第三段“However, fifty percent of shoppers will leave the shop…they will be less likely to return to the store.”可知，不会再回到商店的人占百分之十五，故选C。

3.细节理解题。根据第二段“…because they want to make customers stay longer. Then customers may buy some goods if they stay longer.”可知，商家播放背景音乐想让顾客待久一点，这样就可能会买东西，所以他们的目的是赚钱，故选C。

4.推理判断题。根据第一段“…but it soon spread to other parts of the world.”可知，背景音乐已经传遍世界，所以不只在美国，A项错误；根据第二段“However, some background music is too loud.”可知，有的背景音乐很吵，B项错误；根据第三段“However, fifty percent of shoppers will leave the shop because they don’t like the background music.”可知，百分之十五的人不喜欢背景音乐，C项错误；根据第四段“…the suitable background music is a very effective way to attract more customer’s attention.”可知，合适的背景音乐能够吸引顾客，D项正确。故选D。

5.主旨大意题。根据文章内容及最后一段“So it is wise of stores and restaurants to be more careful with their background music.”可知，谨慎选择合适的背景音乐是非常明智的，故选D。